Fostering a child provides a vital and loving home for children and teenagers in need, yet it can also come with significant financial considerations. To support these selfless families, a variety of businesses, charities, and organisations offer free items, discounted services, and special programmes. These resources aim to alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with fostering, ensuring that children in care have access to essential items and enjoyable experiences. This article compiles verified information on available freebies and discounts, focusing on practical support for foster families across categories such as groceries, supplies, child care, and activities.
Nationwide Free and Discounted Programmes
Several organisations provide resources that are available across the country, helping foster families manage costs for everyday needs and special activities.
Groceries and Supplies
Financial support for daily essentials can make a substantial difference. One notable programme is Amazon Prime Access, which offers a 50% discount on an Amazon Prime membership. To qualify, foster families must be enrolled in specific government assistance programmes and provide verification. Eligible programmes include Supplemental Security Income, SNAP, Medicaid, Direct Express Debit Card (DE), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), National School Lunch Program (NSLP), Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the Women, Infants, and Children programme (WIC), or a Tribal assistance eligibility letter (TTANF).
The WIC programme itself is a critical resource, providing the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. This programme offers nutritional support, which can be essential for foster families caring for young children.
For families interested in online shopping, cash-back applications like Rakuten can help generate savings on everyday purchases. While not specific to foster families, these apps provide a way to earn money back on online spending.
Child Care, Activities, and Mentoring
Access to recreational and educational activities is important for child development and family bonding. Several organisations facilitate this through discounts and free admissions.
America’s Kids Belong is an organisation dedicated to connecting foster families with free and discounted resources. They operate a Foster Friendly app, which helps families find local resources, free items, and discounts. This app is available for residents of Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Virginia. While this is a US-based resource, it exemplifies the type of organised support available in some regions.
iFoster is another nationwide organisation that provides a wide range of free and deeply discounted products and services to caregivers. They partner with hundreds of companies, government agencies, and non-profits to meet the biggest needs of children and youth in care. Services can include items like car seats, weighted blankets, mattresses, and bunk beds, as well as therapy for foster parents and teens.
Retail and Second-Hand Discounts
Some retail chains offer specific discounts for foster families. Once Upon a Child is a resale shop for children's clothing and items with locations across the United States. While the brand is already known for discounted children’s items, there are unverified reports that some locations may offer an additional discount for foster families. Interested families should contact their local store directly to confirm availability.
State and Regional Freebies and Discounts
In addition to nationwide resources, many states and regions have specific programmes that cater to local foster families. These programmes often provide free access to recreational facilities, theme parks, and other services.
Ohio
In Ohio, families with Medicaid, including foster families, can access a discounted membership at COSI (Center of Science and Industry) in Columbus. A Family Access membership card is available for $49, offering significant savings. To purchase this membership, families must present a photo ID and show proof of current participation in WIC, Ohio Directions, or Medicaid. This membership can be purchased at the COSI Box Office.
Oregon
Foster, guardian, and adoptive foster parents of Oregon foster children can receive a Special Access Pass. This pass provides free admission to state parks, historic sites, and other recreational facilities. It also grants access to discounts at local businesses and allows foster parents to purchase hunting and fishing licenses at a discounted rate.
Tennessee
Tennessee offers several free opportunities for foster children and families. Dollywood, a popular theme park, provides free tickets for foster families. These ticket requests must be submitted through the representing foster organisation. Similarly, Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari offers free admission for one visit per year to children in foster care. This programme is a partnership with the Indiana Department of Child Services, Kentucky Department for Community Based Services, and Tennessee Kids Belong.
Colorado
Colorado has a robust support system for foster families. Foster Source offers a variety of free services, including training, relief services, and therapy for foster parents. They provide free items such as car seats, diapers, weighted blankets, mattresses, and bunk beds. Therapy is also available for individuals, teens (via TeenCounseling), and couples (via ReGain).
Big Hearts Clothing Closet, a nonprofit under Heritage Christian Center, allows foster parents to shop for free for barely used items like clothes, books, games, toys, baby gear, and furniture. Foster parents can borrow items and return them or choose to keep them. For a referral, families can email [email protected] or call 970-614-8660.
The YMCA of the Rockies offers lodging for individual families in cabins, lodges, yurts, or campgrounds at 50% of the published non-member rates. This discount is available for stays with or without the foster child and does not require active fostering, but an active foster license is necessary.
Pennsylvania
In eastern Pennsylvania, The Kindness Project supplies foster families with free clothing, shoes, car seats, beds, and other essential items for the children in their care. In southeastern PA, Fostering Hope provides new duffle bags for foster children to use for their belongings during placements or moves.
South Carolina
Premature Millionaires is a resource dedicated to serving children currently in or aging out of the South Carolina foster care system, with a goal of building a model of care and support that can be replicated nationwide.
How to Access These Freebies and Discounts
The process for obtaining free items and discounts varies by programme and organisation. Generally, families will need to verify their foster parent status or their child's eligibility for foster care.
- Verification: Most programmes require proof of foster parent status. This may include a foster parent license, documentation from a foster agency, or a letter from a social worker. Some discounts, like Amazon Prime Access, require verification of participation in government assistance programmes.
- Contacting Organisations: For regional programmes, the first step is often to contact the local foster agency or a dedicated organisation like America’s Kids Belong or iFoster. These organisations can provide direct links to resources and applications.
- Direct Retailer Inquiries: For discounts at specific stores or chains, it is best to call the local branch directly to inquire about available foster family programmes, as policies can vary by location.
- Online Resources: Websites and apps, such as the Foster Friendly app, compile lists of available discounts and free items, making it easier for families to find support in their area.
It is important to note that availability and terms can change. Families are advised to verify all details directly with the company, charity, or organisation before making plans. Many programmes are subject to availability and may have specific eligibility criteria or expiration dates.
Conclusion
A wide array of freebies and discounts is available to support foster families, helping to reduce the financial strain of providing for children in care. From discounted memberships and free park admissions to essential supplies and therapeutic services, these resources are designed to recognise the invaluable contribution of foster parents and to enhance the quality of life for foster children. By leveraging these programmes, foster families can access more opportunities for enrichment, comfort, and joy, ensuring that children feel loved, safe, and secure in their new homes.